News

Two more profitable exits

Advantage Capital has recently completed the sale of two portfolio companies, Milton Keynes based QM Group and Guernsey based Walbrook.

Qm Group is the UK’s leading queue management solutions provider, selling to some of the biggest retailers and financial organisations in the country, including M&S, Boots, Argos, HSBC, Lloyds TSB and the Post Office. One of its first products was the “cashier number three, please” call forward system. Today, there are over 7,000 systems installed.

Advantage Capital backed the MBO of QM Group in December 2004. Since that time, we have strengthened the already successful management team by introducing a new CEO and CFO and have encouraged investment in new product development. This has created strong bottom line growth and the introduction of new software based products which enhance the customer experience within its retail banking clients. This success was recognised by a number of approaches for the company, culminating in its recent sale to Nordic based Altor Equity Partners, generating a five times investment multiple in 30 months for our funds.

Earlier this summer, we completed the sale of our investment in Walbrook to Barclays Bank PLC, generating an attractive money multiple for our funds. Walbrook is a leading fiduciary services company operating from Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Hong Kong. Advantage Capital backed the MBO from Deloitte in December 2003.